Conventional compared to CAD/CAM ceramic inlay

Objectives. This study aimed at comparing the methodologies for achieving an occlusal-mesial ceramic inlay using both the conventional and digital methods in terms of workflow protocol, aesthetic and functional results, working time, but also costs and equipment needed. Material and methods. A 22-year-old patient presented with a direct mesio-occlusal composite restoration with a secondary marginal decay in tooth 3.6 that was subsequently restored by a ceramic inlay manufactured using both traditional and digital methods. Outcomes. The dental technician's talent, experience, and vision guided the technical process of creating the conventional inlay. The technical process of producing the digital inlay involved fewer laboratory stages, but also contamination risks than conventional ones, removing potential human errors associated with each stage and allowing possible changes to be made more quickly and efficiently. The conventional method took more time to complete all of the laboratory steps than the digital method. Conclusions. When compared to the digital method, the traditional method allowed the dental technician to achieve a high level of individualization of the prosthetic restoration. Digital techniques are a method of the future that is rapidly growing and improving. Digital techniques for obtaining an inlay involved high-performance equipment, which is pricey to purchase and maintain

Comparative Evaluation of Influence of Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm) and 980 nm Diode Laser on Enamel around Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

(1) Background: The prevention of demineralizing lesions at the enamel structure level continues to represent a challenge in daily dental practice. When bacteria influence the pH level, this will decrease below the threshold for remineralization and the dissociation of hydroxyapatite will occur with a high percentage of phosphate and calcium loss. These elements continue to be studied by many authors in order to obtain a working protocol that will lead to their stabilization at the level of the enamel structure, thus preventing the demineralization process. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the influence of two types of laser wavelengths on the surface morphology and mineral components of the enamel through an examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). (2) Methods: Thirty permanent human incisors extracted for periodontal reasons from patients aged 25–40 years old were selected for this study. Metallic brackets (SS Standard 022 Slot, OC Orthodontics, McMinnville, OR, 97128, USA) were bonded onto each tooth. The buccal surface was randomly assigned three sections: Section A—negative control (no treatment), section B—treated with 980 nm Gallium–Aluminum–Arsenide diode laser (a 300 µm optic fiber was used with 0.8 W output power, energy density of 5.33 J/mm2, in continuous mode, for 30 s, oriented perpendicularly to the enamel surface in contact mode) (KaVo GENTLEray 980 Diode Laser, Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH, Biberach, Germany), and section C—treated with Nd:YAG laser (a 300 µm fiber was carried out at a 1 mm distance from the enamel surface with 0.75 W power, 75 mJ pulse energy, pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz, 5 J/mm2 fluency, average exposure time of 30 s, and water cooling assisted) (LIGHTWALKER AT S, M021-5AF/1 S, Fotona d.o.o, Ljubljana, Slovenia). The elements evaluated in this study were calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), oxygen (O), and carbon (C). A one-way analysis of variance, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests were carried out to evaluate the results using the SPSS 19 IBM Statistical package software for Microsoft. (3) Results: The evaluation of the data indicated that both wavelengths produced an increase in Ca wt% (for diode laser the mean of Ca wt% before irradiation was 21.06, while that after treatment reached 28.24; and for Nd:YAG laser, the mean of Ca wt% before irradiation was 21.31, while that after treatment reached 33.88); as well, the 980 nm diode laser decreased P wt% (from 17.20 before irradiation to 16.92 after irradiation) and the Nd:YAG laser increased P wt% (from 17.46 before irradiation to 18.28 after irradiation). These results showed a statistically significant difference at the p < 0.05 level. (4) Conclusions: It can be concluded that the best improvement of enamel chemical composition was obtained with Nd:YAG irradiation

The Efficiency of Photodynamic Therapy in the Bacterial Decontamination of Periodontal Pockets and Its Impact on the Patient

Research in the field of periodontal disease continues to focus on disease-associated microorganisms, as the microbial plaque and the host immune responses are considered to be important causative factors, that are highly responsible for the progression of this disease. The purpose of this article is to compare the reduction in the number of specific periodontopathogens in two test groups according to different therapeutic approaches in periodontal disease and to show possible differences. This article is based on a prospective clinical study involving eighteen subjects with forty-four average periodontal pockets assigned to study groups treated by two different methods, SRP and SRP followed by a single PDT application. Efficiency in removing specific bacterial species was evaluated by PCR testing, at baseline and immediately after treatment. The hypothesis that using SRP + aPDT results in an increased decontamination potential was confirmed statistically, when all five specific bacterial pathogens were investigated together. When the pathogens were considered separately, two of the five microorganisms tested were significantly lower in the SRP + PDT group (p < 0.00), and important germ counts reductions were also observed for the other three. There is also a statistically significant relation between the pain at 48 h postoperatively and the type of treatment the patients received, as resulted from the Questionnaire Form. Our results demonstrate that aPDT, as an adjunctive treatment to conservative mechanical cleaning of root surfaces at sites affected by periodontitis, represents an effective tool in terms of reducing specific periodontopathogen germs

Assessment of Pulpal Status in Primary Teeth Following Direct Pulp Capping in an Experimental Canine Model

(1) Background: This study aimed to assess the pulpal response of primary teeth by pulse-oximetry (PO) in a canine model, following direct pulp capping (DPC). (2) Methods: Forty-eight primary teeth from eight canine subjects were divided into three treatment groups, based on the DPC material—calcium hydroxide (CH), MTA, BiodentineTM)—and three corresponding control groups. Data from PO pulp testing were correlated with laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) testing, computer tomographic (CT) densitometry and histological analysis; the experiment lasted 14 days. (3) Results: SpO₂ recordings revealed statistically significant differences (p = 0.002, <0.05) between the treatment and control groups, and no significant differences (p = 0.257, >0.05) were observed between treatment groups. LDF recordings showed significant differences (p = 0.002, <0.05) between the treatment and control groups and identified significant differences between materials (p = 0.001, <0.05). CT densitometry indicated vital pulps in all teeth, with pulpal inflammation detected in 6/8 CH-capped teeth and 2/8 MTA-capped teeth. Histologic evaluation confirmed vital pulp in all specimens, with different degrees of inflammation. (4) Conclusions: Within its limitations, the present study confirms the diagnostic value of PO evaluation of pulpal status in primary teeth with histologic means after pulp-capping procedures in a canine model. However, various degrees of pulpal inflammation elicited by different pulp-capping materials seem not to correlate with the obtained PO values

Research and Science Today Supplement No. 1/2013

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE TODAY is a biannual science journal established in 2011. The journal is an informational platform that publishes assessment articles and the results of various scientific research carried out by academics. We provide the authors with the opportunity to create and/or perfect their science writing skills. Thus, each issue of the journal (two per year and at least two supplements) will contain professional articles from any academic field, authored by domestic and international academics. The goal of this journal is to pass on relevant information to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students as well as to fellow academics and researchers; the topics covered are unlimited, considering its multi-disciplinary profile. Regarding the national and international visibility of Research and Science Today, it is indexed in over 30 international databases (IDB) and is present in over 200 online libraries and catalogues; therefore, anybody can easily consult the articles featured in each issue by accessing the databases or simply the website